"Funk: The Sound of Dayton" Dr Willie Morris Interview

Willie L. Morris III came to the University in 1993 after teaching for four years at the University of Alabama. He had previously served on the faculty at Alcorn State University for two years. Dr. Morris holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from East Carolina University, a Master of Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory of Music. Dr. Morris has performed at the 1997 World Saxophone Congress in Valencia, Spain, and at the 1996 and 1998 North American Saxophone Alliance National Conference and at other regional conferences. He was invited to perform at the 2000 World Saxophone Congress in Montreal, Canada. At the University of Dayton Dr. Morris teaches saxophone performance and is the director of the Dayton Jazz Ensemble. He also serves as the associate director of athletic bands and coordinates jazz studies. Dr. Morris has been active as a performer, educator and clinician since he began his college years. He has been a concerto/aria finalist at each university he attended, and he has performed as a soloist across the country and in South America. Dr. Morris is also active as a marching band clinician, drill designer and color guard instructor.